HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINAL: CARDIFF BLUES v LEICESTER TIGERS
Venue: Millennium Stadium Date: Sunday, 3 May Kick-off: 1500 BST Coverage: Commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Leicester and online, plus text commentary on BBC Sport website. Live on Sky Sports 2

Leigh Halfpenny talks to Wales Today's Claire Summers

Cardiff Blues rookie Leigh Halfpenny is dreaming of ending a fairytale first campaign on a Heineken Cup high.

Halfpenny began the season in Cardiff's semi-pro side but the 20-year-old has enjoyed a sensational rise to stardom.

He burst on to the international scene with four tries in six Wales caps, won the EDF Energy Cup, secured a Lions call now he wants to be a Euro star.

"It has been highlight after highlight, I don't want this dream to end," he said ahead of Sunday's Euro semi-final.

Halfpenny will be one of the Blues' most potent attacking weapons when they face two-time European champions Leicester Tigers in Sunday's Heineken Cup semi-final.

The young wing celebrated his first final appearance in the EDF Energy Cup showpiece with two tries in Cardiff's 50-12 demolition of Gloucester at Twickenham.

"It has been an unbelievable season," acknowledged Halfpenny.

"If someone had said to me 12 months ago that I'd be where I am now I'd have said 'you're off your head.'

"It's just been unbelievable and I'm loving every second.

"The fact the coaches have confidence in me is a great feeling and it doesn't get better as a player than playing for the Lions Lions and the fact I've done it all in one year. I just can't believe it."

Halfpenny made a scoring appearance in his first game this season against Ulster on 12 September as he touched down seven times in his first five games for the Blues this term.

The Swansea-born sensation is already proving himself to be a big-game player - a big reason behind his Lions call to tour world champions South Africa this summer.

He has scored four tries in this season's Heineken Cup campaign, a double in the EDF Energy Cup showpiece and tries in each of his first two Six Nations outings.

606: DEBATE Leicester will put up a good fight but I think the Blues, with all their confidence and home crowd, will be a bit too good FOREVER-BLUE

Halfpenny's confidence is naturally high as is that of his region which is why the Cardiff Blues have been installed as favourites to beat European rugby powerhouse Leicester at the Millennium Stadium and reach 23 May's Heineken Cup final.

"In the EDF final we played probably the best game we've played all season," said Halfpenny.

"Everything just came together and it's given us great belief and confidence going into Sunday's game.

"The fact that people believe in us gives us great confidence and hopefully we can pull out a performance like we did in the EDF final.

"But if we don't, we know we have the ability to grind out a win like we did against Toulouse."

"We're aware that Leicester are one of the giants in European rugby and they've got a great record in the Heineken Cup.

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